Wiper arm

ABSTRACT

The present invention is based on a wiper arm ( 10 ) having a securing member ( 12 ) and a hinge member ( 14 ) coupled thereto via a hinged joint ( 16 ), a cover cap ( 46 ) being affixed to the securing member ( 12 ) and having a cover wall ( 48 ) and side walls ( 50 ) laterally contiguous thereto which cover the securing member ( 12 ).  
     It is proposed that, adjacent to the cover cap ( 46 ) toward the hinge member ( 14 ) is a movable hinge cap ( 32 ) which is coupled to the hinge member ( 14 ) and covers the hinged joint ( 16 ), while it is guided on the securing member ( 12 ) and the cover cap ( 46 ), respectively, in a manner that it is able to swivel and is movable in longitudinal direction ( 62 ).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] The present invention is based on a wiper arm according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The German laid open print 23 26 183 describes a wiper arm according to the species, which has a plastic cover cap. It is mounted on the securing member and is retained on a bearing bush of the hinged joint by open bearing eyes in a manner allowing it to swivel. The cover cap completely covers the securing member, particularly the connection area to a wiper shaft and the hinge bearing of the hinged joint. On the inner side, the cover cap also has stop webs which guide and retain it on the securing member. The hinge member engages with its u-shaped profile in the region of the hinged joint over the cover cap, so that lateral rivet heads of a hinge pin and gaps between the hinge member and the cover cap, particularly on the upper side, which are necessary for the swivelling motion of the hinge member can be seen. The visual impression is thereby disturbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to the invention, adjacent to the cover cap toward the hinge member is a movable hinge cap which is coupled to the hinge member and covers the hinged joint, while it is guided on the securing member and the cover cap, respectively, in a manner that it is able to swivel and is movable in the longitudinal direction. The hinge cap has a u-shaped cross-section which is adapted to the profile of the cover cap and the profile of the hinge member, a smooth and harmonious transition thereby being formed in the hinge region. In addition, the hinge pin is covered, so that overall, the hinged joint receives an aerodynamically favorable form.

[0004] For securing purposes, the hinge cap advantageously has on the inner sides of its side walls, studs which engage in holes in the side walls of the hinge member and in elongated holes in the side walls of the securing member, respectively. In this context, the studs are dimensioned such that, during assembly by pushing the side walls of the hinge cap apart, they snap into these holes and the hinge cap is mounted on the hinge member in a simple manner and without additional expenditure.

[0005] While the hinge cap is rotationally mounted in the circular holes of the hinge member, in addition, the elongated holes in the securing member are used as elements for the kinematic guidance of the hinge cap.

[0006] When the wiper arm is lying against the vehicle windshield, the ends of the side walls of the hinge cap partially overlap the side walls of the hinge member to the outside, while the side walls of the cover cap overlap the side walls of the hinge cap a bit to the outside. In addition, in this extended position, the cover wall of the hinge cap joins up flush with the cover wall of the cover cap and of the hinge member, resulting in a visually closed form of the wiper arm. At the same time, this is aerodynamic and produces almost no wind noise.

[0007] During the swinging process, the hinge member is raised from the vehicle windshield. In this context, the kinematics of the hinge cap are expediently designed such that the end of the hinge cap allocated to the hinge member is raised, while the end of the hinge cap pointing toward the securing member is lowered and plunges into a free space between the cover cap and the securing member. Thus, the swinging process is in no way hindered by the hinge cap, and the hinged joint is covered even in this position. When the wiper arm lays down on the vehicle windshield, the parts lie contiguous to one another again without a gap.

[0008] Given the covering of the wiper arm according to the invention, in principle it is possible to retain the usual hinge construction. If the hinge member and/or the securing member is/are designed as bent sheet-metal parts, the holes and elongated holes necessary for the sequence of motion may be simply and cost-effectively produced by punching. In addition, due to the covering in the hinge region, it is possible for the cover wall of the securing member to be taken back in the hinge region. The normally closed form of the securing member in the region of the hinged joint is no longer necessary, which likewise reduces the production cost.

[0009] The hinge cap and the cover cap are preferably produced from plastic by injection molding. Advantageously, the plastic should simultaneously be wear-resistant, dimensionally stable and stabilized with respect to ultraviolet light, or should be able to be lacquered. In order to avoid material accumulations in the region of the studs, they are expediently ring-shaped in cross-section and have openings at the periphery which permit a lateral ejection from the mold. In addition, pre-molded on the inner sides of the side walls of the hinge cap are ribs which improve the guidance during the swinging process and prevent jamming of the components.

[0010] Furthermore, the design of the cover cap and of the hinge cap can be so adjusted to one another and so adapted to the hinge member and the vehicle that the high quality of the product becomes clear. With the embodiment of the caps as add-on part, the design and thus the appearance of the windshield wiper can easily be changed, using identical hinge components. Finally, when working with a short securing member, the cover cap and the hinge cap may be combined to form a one-piece component which is mounted in the same manner as the hinge cap on the hinge member and securing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] Further advantages come to light from the following description of the drawing. The drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawing, the specification and the claims contain numerous features in combination. One skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually, as well, and combine them to form useful further combinations.

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a wiper arm;

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a hinge member of the wiper arm in perspective view from below;

[0014]FIG. 3 shows a securing member of the wiper arm in perspective view from below;

[0015]FIG. 4 shows a hinge cap in perspective view from below;

[0016]FIG. 5 shows an enlarged representation of a detail V in FIG. 4;

[0017]FIG. 6 shows an enlarged representation of a detail VI in FIG. 4;

[0018]FIG. 7 shows a partial longitudinal section through the wiper arm in extended state;

[0019]FIG. 8 shows a partial longitudinal section through the wiper arm in partially tilted position;;

[0020]FIG. 9 shows a partial longitudinal section through the wiper arm in tilted position shortly before reaching an end position; and

[0021]FIG. 10 shows a wiper arm according to FIG. 9 having a short securing member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A securing member 12 of a wiper arm 10 is connected to a hinge member 14 via a hinged joint 16 (FIG. 1). A hinge pin 18, which is riveted in holes 54 in side walls 22 of hinge member 14 and is supported via bearing bores 26 in side walls 24 of securing member 12, forms the swivel axis of the hinged joint.

[0023] A hinge cap 32, preferably produced from plastic in the injection molding process, covers hinged joint 16. It is put on preassembled wiper arm 10 onto hinge member 14 and securing member 12. To that end, hinge cap 32 has a u-shaped cross-section adapted to adjacent components 12, 14 of wiper arm 10. Provided on inner sides 38 of side walls 36 of hinge cap 32 are studs 40 and 42 which are not visible from the outside and which engage in holes 20 in side walls 22 of hinge member 14 and in elongated holes 30 in side walls 24 of securing member 12.

[0024] In the extended state, when the windshield wiper is lying against a vehicle windshield, hinge cap 32 joins up with hinge member 14 and reaches up to a cover cap 46 which covers the fastening region of wiper arm 10 on a wiper shaft (FIG. 7). In this position, cover wall 34 of hinge cap 32 terminates flush with cover wall 48 of cover cap 46 and the upper contour of hinge member 14. Side walls 36 of hinge cap 32 are configured so that they partially overlap side walls 22 of hinge member 14. In the boundary area between hinge cap 32 and cover cap 46, side walls 36 of hinge cap 32 are overlapped by side walls 50 of cover cap 46. Thus, wiper arm 10 has a continuous transition between hinge member 14, hinge cap 32 and cover cap 46, adjusted to each other in size, resulting in a closed and compact form. In this position, studs 40 are supported in holes 20 in hinge member 14, and studs 42 are in an end position of elongated holes 30 in securing member 12. When wiper arm 10 swings away from the vehicle windshield, the sequence of motion of hinge cap 32 is determined by the position of holes 20, of elongated holes 30 and of studs 40, 42, as well as by the shape of elongated holes 30.

[0025] During the swing of hinge member 14, its holes 20 describe a circular path 66 about hinge pin 18 of the hinged joint. Corresponding to the circular movement, hinge cap 32 is raised in the region of holes 20 and is shifted in the direction of the remote end of securing member 12. During this movement, it is guided by its studs 42 which engage in elongated holes 30 on securing member 12. The position of holes 20 on hinge member 14 and the position of elongated holes 30 on securing member 12 are adjusted to one another in such a way that, during the swing movement, no collision occurs between hinge cap 32 and hinge member 14, securing member 12 or cover cap 46 fixedly seated thereon. In addition to the positions of holes 20 and elongated holes 30 relative to each other, the movement of hinge cap 32 may be influenced by the shape of elongated holes 30 which may run straight or curved in longitudinal direction 62.

[0026] During the swinging, a gap 56, covered by hinge cap 32, between hinge member 14 and cover cap 46 decreases compared to the extended position. In order to ensure a free motion, cover wall 34 of hinge cap 32, which has a constant length, is lowered into a free space 58 between cover cap 46 and securing member 12 until it reaches an end position. Side walls 50, 36 and 22, nested into one another, also overlap to a greater degree (FIG. 9).

[0027] Given a sufficient diameter of studs 40, 42, in order to avoid an accumulation of material in this region, studs 40, 42 have a circular cross-section (FIG. 5).

[0028] At the periphery, studs 42 have openings 60 which permit lateral removal from a die mold (not shown) (FIG. 6). In the region of studs 42, ribs 44, which guide hinge cap 32 on securing member 12, are pre-molded on inner sides 38 of side walls 36 of hinge cap 32.

[0029] Securing member 12 and hinge member 14 are expediently implemented as bent sheet-metal part. Holes 20 for studs 40, elongated holes 30 for studs 42, holes for a spring insert 28, holes 54 for the hinge pin and bearing bores 26 may advantageously be punched from a sheet-metal blank without significant extra expense. Covering wall 48 of securing member 12 is taken back in region 52 of hinged joint 16.

[0030] In the construction according to FIG. 10, wiper arm 10 has a short securing member 12. In this case, it is possible and advantageous to combine cover cap 46 and hinge cap 32 to form a one-piece component 64 which, in the same way as hinge cap 32 of the other constructions, is mounted on securing member 12 and hinge member 14. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiper arm (10) having a securing member (12) and a hinge member (14) coupled thereto via a hinged joint (16), a cover cap (46) being affixed to securing member (12) and having a cover wall (48) and side walls (50) laterally contiguous thereto which cover securing member (12), wherein adjacent to the cover cap (46) toward the hinge member (14) is a movable hinge cap (32) which is coupled to the hinge member (14) and covers the hinged joint (16), while it is guided on the securing member (12) and the cover cap (46), respectively, in a manner that it is able to swivel and is movable in longitudinal direction (62).
 2. The wiper arm (10) as recited in claim 1, wherein the hinge cap (32) is able to be mounted by slipping onto the hinge member (14) and or onto the securing member (12).
 3. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the hinge cap (32), on inner sides (38) of its side walls (36), has studs (40, 42) which are not visible from the outside and which engage in holes (20) in side walls (22) of the hinge member (14) and in elongated holes (30) in side walls (24) of the securing member (12), respectively.
 4. The wiper arm (10) as recited in claim 3, wherein the studs (40, 42) are dimensioned such that, by pushing side walls (36) of the hinge cap (32) apart, they snap into holes (20) and elongated holes (30), respectively.
 5. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the studs (40) and/or the studs (42) have a circular cross-section.
 6. The wiper arm (10) as recited in claim 5, wherein the hinge cap (32) is produced from plastic by injection molding, and the studs (40) and/or the studs (42) have openings (60) at the periphery which permit lateral removal from the mold.
 7. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the inner sides (38) of the side walls (36) of the hinge cap (32) have ribs (44).
 8. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the elongated holes (30) are curved in their longitudinal extension.
 9. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the hinge cap (32) and the cover cap (46) are produced from plastic.
 10. The wiper arm (10) as recited in claim 9, wherein the plastic is simultaneously wear-resistant, dimensionally stable and stabilized with respect to ultraviolet light.
 11. The wiper arm (10) as recited in claim 9, wherein the plastic is simultaneously wear-resistant, dimensionally stable and able to be lacquered.
 12. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the ends of the side walls (36) of the hinge cap (32) partially overlap the side walls (22) of the hinge member (14) to the outside, while the side walls (50) of the cover cap (46) overlap the side walls (36) of the hinge cap (32) a bit to the outside.
 13. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the cover wall (34) of the hinge cap (32) in the extended position of the wiper arm (10) terminates flush with the cover wall (48) of the cover cap (46) and the upper contour of the hinge member (14), and the kinematics of the hinge cap (32) are designed such that, when the hinge member (14) is lifted, the allocated end of the hinge cap (32) is likewise lifted, while the end on the side of the securing member (12) is lowered and plunges into a free space (58) between the cover cap (46) and the securing member (12).
 14. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the design of the hinge member (14), the hinge cap (32) and the cover cap (42) are adjusted to one another.
 15. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the cover wall (48) of the securing member (12) is taken back in region (52) of the hinged joint (16).
 16. The wiper arm (10) as recited in one of the foregoing claims, wherein the securing member (12) has a short extension in the longitudinal direction (62), and the hinge cap (32) and the cover cap (46) form a one-piece component (64) (FIG. 10). 